Carlton's coaches were expected to caution their players against sledging their opponents at the MCG on Saturday night. And coach Mick Malthouse has been made aware of the potential pitfalls of commenting on the Essendon scandal for a third week running. Advertisement Blues president Stephen Kernahan has made his distaste well known in the past of clubs commenting on other clubs' business - but Malthouse deserves some credit for speaking out about Essendon just as he did for taking a stand more than a decade ago over racism in the game. No other coaching statesman appears to have grasped the seriousness of the Essendon story - certainly not publicly. Leigh Matthews has strangely suggested the Bombers could be scapegoats and Kevin Sheedy remains hopelessly conflicted. But Malthouse laid the challenge squarely at the AFL two weeks ago. ''This is going to be solved and remembered for as much about the governance of the game as it is about Essendon,'' he said. ''I hope, if there's penalties to be passed down, that they're not scared of it.'' Then, last week, Malthouse predicted the season would end in a shambles because of Essendon. On that he appears on the money. Every other club in the competition is becoming increasingly disenchanted with Essendon, but the message spreading through Visy Park this week is that now is not the time to compound concern at the Bombers' behaviour.
Saints by 5 goals.....there's no more certain result this coming weekend. Saints supporters don't rate their team either, but they do against us....and with some justification too.
Riewoldt will kick a lazy 4 at least, Kosi & Milne 3 apiece, Milera will play one of his 2 good games of the year, Saad will come in and kick at least 2, Hayes a lazy 35+ possessions, Dal Santo a lazy 30+, Farren Ray will look magnificent, Jack Steven will run around like a Stawell Gift winner, Rhys Stanley will single handily fend off our forward talls, McEvoy will take 10+ contested marks everywhere, Clint Jones keep Murphy to about 10 possessions......and on and on and on it goes......
Totally agree PI2C - this is the first time in many, many years whereby we're playing a Richmond team that is CLEARLY better than us.....and substantially so. Anyone who even considers us to be a chance, simply based on recent past performances, you're simply not being realistic in any way, shape or form. I like the changes Mick has made considering the injuries, really like them, but it still won't change the fact that the Tigers are on a totally different level to us in ability, development & confidence. It could get real ugly tomorrow....expect Hendo to return to defence, seeing as Jamo continues his spud-like form.
No interest in this game whatsoever, pretty sure another loss is coming, hoping like hell the Roos get over the line, then the finals get interesting....and that's how it should be. Any other scenario (i.e. us participating in September) makes our elimination final a joke.
Bit of an article on Steve Morris of Richmond in the Sun today and its details his work on opposing small forwards...Eddie in two games only managed 18 disposals and 1 goal on Morris. Not good enough for a man wanting 600k a year and Eddie needs to deliver on Sunday for us to win...
In what will most probably be his last ever appearance in Navy Blue......
In a rather bizarre way, winning would be a sad indictment on the effort in recent games. If they can get over the tigers it will demonstrate that it's more about attitude than ability.
Blues by 24
I thought we gave a solid effort against Freo, they were just too classy and we won 3 in a row before that. Our effort against the dogs was poor but it must be noted they have vastly improved as the season has gone on, their last 4 weeks has seen them beat Carlton and West Coast plus very competitive efforts against the Hawks and Swans.
Malthouse wouldn't be telling him to shirt contests and give up and not chase. Yarran's issues are his own issues. Friends of mine don't believe me when I say Yarran is probably the quickest at the club because they've probably never seen him sprint.
I respect Kingy and Lynchy's opinions but I'm sure they don't watch every game of football played so it only makes sense that I would have seen more of Yarran they did. Come to think of it weren't you overseas a couple of years ago?
Looking at the best and fairest for 2011 he finished 10th so that sits about right with my memory of how he played, middle of the road and that was his best year.